Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-02-08
THE EDDYvI11E PENI-
TENTIARY.
It Is Well Equipped What it Will
Cost Kentucky-The conviots
and Work.
louisville Commercial. I


A young man who recently paid a
flying visit to Eddyville, the location
Of the new penitentiary, says of it:
"From an architectural standpoint
1t is undoubtedly the handsomest
building of its kind in the country.
1t is built on high hill, overlooking
the surrounding country Tor miles,
and magnificent view may be had
from its tower, which will, when fin
ished, rise TO height Of l65 feet from
foundations.
"The main building, which is call
ed the Administration building, has
a frontage Of about seventy-ilve feet,
by about the same depth, from the
centre of which rises this imposing
tower; in II the architects intend put
ting a large town clock. This build
ing will contain quarters for the au-
thorities of the institution, intirmary,
arsenal, etc. This much Is completed
to the fourth story, being finished at
the top "block and space" which with
the rough limestone of which 1t is
built, gives 1t the appearance of an
ancient castle.
Adjoining this building on the
right is one wing, which is divided
into cells, with every arrangement
for comfort and security. Cell house
No. |, which is Immediately connect
ed with the Administration Building
has frontage of 1875 feet, is four
stories high and has III cells; No. 2,
fronting l02 feet, has 100 cells.
mo. 9 is built at right angles to the
others and runs back l4S feet, form
ing an III this has 1879, making TO-
tai of Ais cells in this wing. The wing
which will be built to the left will
have the same accommodations. Ow-
ing 10 the lack of money it lie not be-
ing built, the space it will occupy be-
ing enclosed by stockade.
"The exterior of the entire struct-
ure is of rough gray limestone, with
dressed trimmings. Oyer the entrance
is sprung massive arch, surmounted
by the keys of the authority, with
the names of the three commissioners
III. b. Lyon, w. Carpenter and -
Thomas) cut in the stone.
"Work was begun nearly two years
ago by Messrs. O'Connor Il Brewster
contractors, who leased the convict
labor from the State. They had gone
only little way when, finding they
were losing money, they threw up
the contract. selling their plant TO the
State for $4,000. The most OF the
work has been done in the past year
by the State Board of Commissioners,
of which Gen. II. B. Lyon is resi-
dent active member. There are now
about half dozen mechanics and l62
convicts employed on the building,
but owing to the cold weather little
is being done. The convicts are well
cared for, having plenty of good, sub
stantial food, well cooked, and clothes
of the regulation stripe, which look
very warm. OF course some are in
clined to be refractory at times. but
they are soon brought around and go
on with their work as if nothing had
happened.
dThis institution was intended by
the Legislature that appropriated
tne ITSJ IUOUtl W NC uoCu 80 q iOiot III
atory for the younger class of con-
victs, SO as to separate them from
their more hardened brothers in
crime. They can thus have an OPP
portunity to improve their condition
by better associations than could be
afforded them at Frankfort. The
institution will, of course be s0lf-sup-
porting, as there is room within the
Enclosure for the employment of the
convict labor at such work as the
State may direct.
"The first appropriation of $4,000
has been entirely expended, and the
second of $ll2,500, has Il large hole
eaten in it; but it is thought the part
now under way will be completed en-
tirely with this money. 1t will take
several hundred thousand dollars to
complete the work as II is originally |
planned, but when it is completed it
will be an ideal prison, to which all
honest Kentuckians may point with
pride, though they ought to deplore
its necessity.
"Messrs. Mcdonald Brothers, Of
this city, are the architects.
"J'he perintendent for the Slate
is John L. Kirtley, who is an able Of
fetal, and who kindly gave me most
of the information given here"